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Jega, Ex-Minister, Other Northern Leaders Reject Bid To Site US, French Military Bases In Nigeria—-Prominent northern leaders have cautioned against allowing the United States and the French governments to relocate their military bases from the Sahel to Nigeria.

In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly, on Friday, the leaders said the federal government should not succumb to such pressure.

Those who signed the letter include Professor Abubakar Siddique Mohammed of the Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDERT), Zaria; Professor Kabiru Sulaiman Chafe, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, representing the Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP), Kaduna; Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, who is a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Professor Jibrin Ibrahim from the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Abuja; Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani) of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CCISLAC) Abuja; and Y. Z. Ya’u from the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Kano.

According to the letter, the American and French governments have allegedly been aggressively lobbying Nigeria, along with other Gulf of Guinea countries, to sign new defence pacts that would allow them to redeploy their troops, expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

The signatories expressed concern that Nigeria, being the most strategically located among the Gulf of Guinea countries, may succumb to this pressure, thereby jeopardising its defence and internal security.

“The recent expulsion of French and American troops from Niger due to their perceived ineffective presence raises questions about the efficacy of hosting foreign military bases”, the citizens said in the open letter.

They also argued that the primary goal of these bases, ostensibly to combat terrorism in the Sahel, has not been achieved, as terrorism has only escalated since those camps were established.

“It is important to clearly state that there are only dangers and no gains from such military operations.

“The American operations in Niger Republic, for example, were ostensibly to pre-empt and uproot terrorists from the Sahel region. The result has so far been quite unimpressive, if not a complete failure.

“It is apparent that the presence of American troops and other intelligence personnel in Niger Republic is not serving any useful purpose. This is for the simple reason that terrorism, far from abating, has risen dramatically since the US began its operations in the region,” they said.

They also cautioned against compromising Nigeria’s sovereignty and independence for short-term strategic alliances that may have dire long-term consequences.

They added that hosting foreign troops often leads to increased prices and living costs in local areas, disproportionately affecting the lower-income population.

“Environmentally, the construction and operation of military bases can lead to significant degradation of the local environment. This includes deforestation, soil erosion, water contamination, and loss of biodiversity, which are detrimental to agricultural communities and indigenous populations. The long-term environmental damage could further hinder economic opportunities and sustainable development,” they said.

The presidency and the National Assembly have yet to make any public comments on the open letter.

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ZENITH BANK REWARDS ITS UNICORN WORKFORCE WITH IMPROVED PAY AND PROMOTES SEVERAL

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ZENITH BANK REWARDS ITS UNICORN WORKFORCE WITH IMPROVED PAY AND PROMOTES SEVERAL

ZENITH BANK REWARDS ITS UNICORN WORKFORCE WITH IMPROVED PAY AND PROMOTES SEVERAL—-One of Africa’s leading financial institutions, Zenith Bank has reaffirmed its dedication to employee welfare by announcing the promotion of over 4,000 staff members and implementing salary increases ranging from 20% to 30% across various employee grades.

This bold initiative, under the leadership of Managing Director/CEO Dame Adaora Umeoji, its aimed at boosting staff morale and productivity.

With over 8,000 employees, this significant investment in human capital reflects Zenith Bank’s belief that its workforce is its most valuable asset. The salary adjustments, effective January 1, 2025, aim to reward performance, alleviate financial pressures, and ensure enhanced customer service delivery. Promotions for top management are also expected as part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to excellence and growth.

Dr. Umeoji emphasized the importance of maintaining a motivated workforce, stating that the bank’s dedication to its employees will translate into superior service experiences for customers. She highlighted the organization’s commitment to setting industry benchmarks through innovative solutions and exceptional service delivery.

Zenith Bank’s continued leadership in the Nigerian financial sector is underscored by numerous awards, including Best Bank in Nigeria 2024 by Global Finance and recognition as the Biggest Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital in 2024 by The Banker. These accolades complement its reputation for innovation, sustainability, and corporate governance.

By prioritizing employee welfare during challenging times, Zenith Bank not only strengthens its internal operations but also sets a standard for other financial institutions in the region, reinforcing its position as a leader in Africa’s banking landscape.

As a major player in Nigeria’s financial landscape, under its managing director/chief executive officer, Adaora Umeoji, the bank has embraced a holistic approach to growth that integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles with its core business objectives.

At the heart of Zenith Bank’s strategy is a focus on buoying economic inclusion, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and driving technological innovation to enhance customer experiences. The bank’s proactive investments in renewable energy, sports, digital transformation and impactful community initiatives exemplify its dedication to creating long-term value for its stakeholders while addressing global sustainability challenges.

Zenith Bank’s continued success is driven by a combination of strong financial performance and an unwavering commitment to its stakeholders.

Zenith Bank’s growth trajectory is underpinned by a robust expansion strategy. With operations in several countries, including the UK, UAE, China, and most recently, France, the bank continues to expand its geographical footprint.

As usual, the bank’s efforts in 2024 did not unnoticed as the lender clinched several local and international awards in recognition of its outstanding performance.

In 2024, the bank won the Best Bank in Nigeria at the annual Global Finance award in Washington, DC, NY.

The bank also emerged the Biggest Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, 2024 by The Banker; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria 2024 – World Finance; Best Corporate Governance, Nigeria 2024 – World Finance; Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria 2024 – International Banker; Bank of the Year, 2024 – Business Day; Retail Bank of the Year, 2024 – Business Day; Bank of the Year 2024- The Banker.

It also clinched the Most Responsible Organization in Africa 2024 – SERAS; Best in Gender Equality & Women Empowerment 2024 – SERAS and Best in Transparency & Reporting 2024 – SERAS

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JUST IN: EFCC Officers Arrested, Detained For Fraud In Lagos

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EFCC Officers Arrested

JUST IN: EFCC Officers Arrested, Detained For Fraud In Lagos—-Thecloudngr reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained 10 officers from its Lagos Zonal Command over the alleged theft of missing operational items.

The commission’s Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Oyewale stated that the development was part of EFCC Chairman Mr Ola Olukoyede’s ongoing efforts to rid the commission of corrupt practices.

He explained that the officers were arrested last week following directives from the EFCC boss.

“The affected officers are being questioned regarding the theft of operational items they could not account for.

“Investigators are making good progress, and those found guilty will face internal disciplinary processes,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the EFCC also announced on Monday the dismissal of 27 officers as part of its efforts to enforce integrity and combat fraud.

Oyewale noted that these officers were involved in fraudulent activities and misconduct in 2024.

He said their dismissal was ratified by the EFCC chairman, based on recommendations from the anti-graft staff disciplinary committee.

Olukoyede reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to zero tolerance for corruption, warning that no officer would be immune to disciplinary action.

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